On Thanksgiving Day, UT Health East Texas emergency rooms were placed in "divert status" due to a potential cybersecurity incident. Divert status is activated when ambulances or air-lifts are redirected to alternative locations for patient treatment.
UT Health East Texas, a healthcare provider operating 10 hospitals and more than 90 clinics in the region, took precautionary measures to address the potential threat. The decision to divert patients aims to ensure the continued safety and care of individuals seeking emergency medical attention.
This incident is part of a concerning trend, with cyber attacks affecting healthcare facilities across the United States over the past nine months. Hospitals in Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, and Pennsylvania have faced similar challenges, resulting in the diversion of ambulances.
In 2023 alone, there have been 209 publicly reported ransomware attacks on healthcare organizations in the United States.
